Nepal heading towards crisis as parties fail to end deadlock

Kathmandu: Nepal appeared to be sinking
deeper into a political turmoil Thursday, amid the failure of the
main parties to end a deadlock over the extension of the term
of the parliament, which expires on Saturday.

There was no progress in talks as we demanded that the
Maoists must lay down their arms before getting our support to
extend the term of the Constituent Assembly that expires on
May 28, main opposition Nepali Congress` leader Ram Sharan
Mahat said, adding the Maoists did not agree to it.

Both the parties put forth their policy and nothing
came out from the meeting, he told PTI after talks involving
Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal, Maoist chief Prachanda and
Nepali Congress president Sushil Koirala.

Nepali Congress, the second largest party in
parliament has stepped up pressure on the Communist-led
government to quit due to its failure to promulgate a new
constitution ahead of the expiry of the term of the House.

Amid growing fears of a political vacuum and a
constitutional crisis, President Ram Baran Yadav held
consultations with top leaders, including the Prime Minister,
Prachanda and Koirala.

The President asked them to reach a consensus and move
forward the peace process to resolve the current political
statement, sources said.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Assembly could be
extended only for six months, as against the government`s
decison to ammend the constitution for a one-year extension of
the Parliament.

The term of the Assembly should not be extended for
indefinite period, the apex court had cautioned.